July 13, 2009

A Brooklyn woman was struck and killed by a stray bullet Friday as she protected her 8-year-old great nephew on a Brooklyn playground, the police and the local tabloids say.

Jesselle Page, 44, was hit in the chest by the bullet allegedly fired by Terrance Villanueva, 24, of Amboy Street in Brooklyn. She was declared dead at Woodhull Hospital. Villanueva has been charged with murder.

Daily News columnist Michael Daly reports that despite her wounds Page got her great nephew into the lobby of her building before she collapsed.

Villanueva, the Daily News says, had prior rape, drug and weapons arrests. He allegedly fired multiple shots in the incident during an argument in a parking lot near the playground.

The funeral service and wake for Page will be held Wednesday at Unity Funeral Chapels, 2352 Eighth Ave. in Harlem from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Know the victim? Know anything about the crime? Drop us a line at grayman@villagevoice.com.